Survey of 34 pregnant women with hepatitis A and their neonates.

Thirty-four pregnant women with hepatitis A and their neonates were investigated on serum anti-HAV IgM, ALT (GPT) and clinical manifestations (with 34 randomized controls) during the outbreak of viral hepatitis A in Shanghai. The result showed no evidence of maternal-infant transmission of hepatitis A, and no birth defect was found. Sufficient rest and proper diet for and close surveillance of the pregnant woman were suggested to ensure the well-being of mother and child. In addition, we found immune gamma-globulin given to the neonates born of mothers with hepatitis A may be beneficial to avoid horizontal transmission of hepatitis A.